The Ward Family: 2010

God blessed us with Ava Maria Reinschmiedt on December 12 at 6:12am. I received a phone call from Bryan at 3:00am saying they were at the hospital and Ashley was dilated to a 4. I did not want to intrude on them, but Mom was staying with Tad, Ashley's parents live hours away, and we did not want them to be alone... okay... I'll be honest, I was super pumped and wanted to be there listening outside their door to hear that precious first cry.

Ryan and I arrived at the hospital around 3:45am and Ashley had progressed to a 6. Bless her heart, she was in so much pain. Due to her back problem she is unable to receive an epidural. All of you women out there who can receive an epidural count your blessings. Child birth truly is a labor of love. She is one tough woman and amazes me. She keeps going until the very end. She was dilated to a 1 or 2 and still went to Friday school and did everything she normally does. I will carry on with the story now so Ashley does not come to me and say "Julie that is WAY to much information to be sharing!"

Ryan and I patiently waited in the waiting room for about an hour. I, of course, am where I can see their door so I know if anybody goes in and out... especially if a doctor arrives. Bryan came out a few times telling us about the epidural and how far along Ashley was. During this time I am texting Mom and Dad with any information I receive. Around 5:00am, Ryan and I parked ourselves outside their door thinking the time was getting near. At 6:12am we hear that she has arrived, heard that precious first cry, and heard the doctor say "She is freaking huge!" Everyone is doing well. Bryan and Ashley are great parents and I am so happy for them.

Below are some pictures from Ava's Birth Day.

Below: Ava's credentials.

Below: Proud Momma with Ava.

Below: Ashley was checking Ava out.

Below: Bryan and Ashley were checking to see if Ava has webbed toes. No determination has been made...

Below: After all that waiting, I finally got to meet her!

Below: Sweet Ava. We were all surprised by her head full of hair!

Below: Ava's tiny feet popped out of the blanket.

Below: Grandpa Vic and Grandma Mel meeting Ava.

Below: Lisa came to meet her too.

Below: Tad was so happy to see his Momma. He knew something was going on a few days before Ava arrived. Here Tad is checking out his Momma's hospital bracelets.

Below: The nurse presented Ava to us in the nursery after she was cleaned up. Grandma Brenda picked out her bow.

Below: Tad immediately wanted to hold Ava. He does a really good job holding her.

Below: Daddy was helping him out.

Below: Tad decided he wanted Ava to lay down by him. Something he does from time to time with Addison.

Below: Grandma Brenda finally got to hold Ava!

Below: But not for long! Big brother wanted to hold Sissy again.

Below: Then it was time to spend some more time with Momma. He found the buttons on the side of her bed.

Below: Such a cute picture of Mother and Son.

Below: Miss Ava Maria.

Below: I FINALLY got to hold her again. I can't complain to much. I got to hold her first after she was born. Such a sweetie.

Below: Tad thought Ava needed to wear Daddy's hat.

Below: Bryan was worn out.

Below: But he didn't get to sleep for long. Tad remembered the glove balloons from Addison's birth day.

Below: Grandpa and Grandma Little brought Tad a big brother present!

Below: Aunt Gigi helping Tad put on his big brother t-shirt!

Below: Addison was happy Ava arrived! She was full of smiles.

Below: Addison and Ava meet for the first time. I can't wait to watch them both grow up together.

Below: Jan got a turn too!

Below: HH came too!

Below: Grandpa Dale looks like he is having a serious conversation about Ava with Tad.

Below: Grandpa and Grandma Little bought Tad some new boots! He was so excited that he wouldn't take them off in the store and had to wear them out.

Below: Meeting your new Sissy can wear a boy out.

Until Next Time: Ju

Post Date: 2010-12-08

It has been awhile, and I do not like that. I almost had to put in for a change of address. If you have been looking for me the last two months, I have been located on Floor 3, in a group study room, at the UCO Library. A group of four of us have been crammed in a small room researching Sonic and McDonald's. Finishing these projects have been very rewarding, but I am so happy that I get to spend some more time at home (and hopefully on here).

Christmas is a few weeks away and I have not done any shopping or preparations. One would think... well Julie, you have been living in a large city for two months, how come you could not get any shopping done? That is because I was not getting home until 11 or 12 at night. Most stores are closed by then.

I love Christmas. The birth of Jesus, Christmas Eve services at church, and spending time with family. I have never been real fond of Christmas music. I LOVE Christmas hymns and singing them in church, but I could really go without all the mumbo jumbo on the radio. Call me Scrooge.

Ryan and I have also not put up any decorations this year. In fact, the only decoration we have is the giant snow globe that goes in our front yard (AWESOME). The town of Garber is having a Christmas light competition... I must get that put up before the contest. Oh yeah... I'm totally entering. Who cares if the neighbors made fun of us last year.

Every year at Christmas I think about my Mom and the funny stories surrounding Christmas trees. When we were in high school, we quit putting up a Christmas tree because we were never home on Christmas day. My Mom's friend couldn't believe we didn't put up a Christmas tree, so Mom cut one out of paper and taped it to the wall (paper ornaments and all!). In fact, I think we took a family picture in front of the tree that year. The following year she bought a small tree the blows up when you plug it in. She actually took that tree to my Grandparents house for Christmas and used it instead of an actual tree. Those are the memories that mean the most to me. Who cares if our house isn't decked out with lights and trees. It is about building memories and spending time with your family.

I remember the year my Grandma gave each of us grand kids an afghan for Christmas. She worked all year long on those. I treasure her talent and love that was poured into each of those blankets. I will always cherish mine.

The Second Annual Reinschmiedt Carving Contest pictures are pictured below. Which pumpkin do you think won??

This may be the longest post ever regarding pictures...

Enjoy!

Below: Tad was having dinner with his Momma.

Below: Precious Addison and I. She is doing wonderfully!

Below: Not sure how this picture ended up upside down.

Below: I just love the look on Tad's face as he is waiting for some ice cream.

Below: Ben and Tad were checking on Addison.

Below: Tummy time is hard work!

Below: Tad was helping his Daddy open his birthday gifts!

Below: Ryan and I got Mom a dozen Katy's Pantry cookies. Ryan took a bite out of one and included it in her card. Just love the look on her face!

Below: You know you are pretty darn special if Mom will share a Katy's Pantry cookie with you!

Below: It was time to carve the pumpkins! Tad helped us get every single one of them inside.

Below: Poppa holding Addison. She looks so natural in his arms.

Below: Now it is Gigi's turn!

Below: Tad was helping me clean out the pumpkin!

Below: Then he kept scooping the seeds and putting the goop back INTO my pumpkin.

Below: Bryan looks very serious. Some fine art work he produced.

Below: Addison napping on Lisa. So precious.

Below: Getting the design ready for my pumpkin.

Below: Tad working with his Daddy on his pumpkin. Tad would point to where he wanted to cut, and then his Daddy would help him with the knife.

Below: Still working hard!

Below: Ryan trying to defend his title.

Below: Tad meeting Grandpa with some high fives.

Below: We celebrated Grandpa's birthday in October too! He was making sure Grandma was cutting him a big enough piece! J/K

Below: He looks so happy! I feel so blessed to have my grandparents so close, and to have such a close relationship with them.

Below: Tad digging into Lisa's ice cream.

Below: It was Dad's birthday too!

Below: Addison posing for the camera.

Below: Grandpa opening his gifts.

Below: Poppa was so nice. He shared his FAVORITE black licorice with Tad.

Below: Uncle Ryan and Tad were watching football. Tad LOVES to watch football.

Below: Grandpa shared his black licorice too!

Below: Tad was now playing football and tackled Grandpa.

Below: Tad was giving some love to Addison. He just loves her. Every time she arrives Tad immediately wants her out of her car seat and runs to a chair and wants to hold her.

Below: Grandpa loving on Addison.

Below: She is growing so fast!

Below: Aunt Ashley is getting her arms ready for her little girl on the way!

Below: Just precious.

Below: This is Addison's pumpkin. Ben and Angie wanted to carve out her little hands but the pumpkin was extremely tough so they colored them in! Tad's artwork is on the pumpkin to the left.

Below: Onto the competition!!! This year we had two categories, tradition and non-traditional. The winner of each category won $25. The two winners then went up against each other for the grand prize traveling trophy. Who do you think won??

The first set are the non-traditional.

The next set of pumpkins are the traditional ones.

I would like to thank my Grandparents and Lisa for taking on the responsibility of judging this contest (I guess next year my bribe should be higher). The winners will be announced on the next post!